Needle clamp for sewing machine comprising a needle cooling device

Abstract

A needle clamp (1) for sewing machine (100) is provided. The needle clamp (1) comprises a body (2) at least partially made of a thermally conductive material and having retaining means (3) for constraining at least one needle (10). The needle clamp comprises a thermoelectric cooling device (5) directly or indirectly constrained to a portion of said body (2).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A needle clamp ( 1 ) for sewing machine ( 100 ), comprising a body ( 2 ) at least partially made of a thermally conductive material and having retaining means ( 3 ) for constraining at least one needle ( 10 ), wherein the needle clamp ( 1 ) includes a thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) directly or indirectly constrained to a portion of said body ( 2 ), said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) having a hot side ( 6 ) and a cold side ( 7 ), said cold side ( 7 ) being directly or indirectly constrained to said portion of said body ( 2 ) allowing heat transfer from said at least one needle ( 10 ) to said cold side ( 7 ). 
     
     
       2. The needle clamp ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said portion of said body ( 2 ) on which said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) is constrained is an external surface of the body ( 2 ). 
     
     
       3. The needle clamp ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) is connected to a control unit for the regulation of said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ). 
     
     
       4. The needle clamp ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein said control unit regulates said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) according to a feedback loop control. 
     
     
       5. The needle clamp ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said retaining means ( 3 ) comprise a recessed seat ( 11 ) in said body ( 2 ) for receiving at least part of said needle ( 10 ) therein, said seat ( 11 ) having a longitudinal extension according to an axis (A-A′), said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) extending on a portion of said body ( 2 ) of an angle (a) comprised between 0° and 360° in a plane perpendicular to said axis (A-A′). 
     
     
       6. The needle clamp ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein said angle (a) is between 0° and 270°. 
     
     
       7. The needle clamp ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) comprises at least one Peltier cell. 
     
     
       8. The needle clamp ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) is indirectly constrained to said portion of said body ( 2 ) by the interposition of a thermal conductive layer ( 8 ). 
     
     
       9. The needle clamp ( 1 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein said thermal conductive layer ( 8 ) is an adhesive thermal paste. 
     
     
       10. A sewing machine ( 100 ) comprising at least one needle clamp ( 1 ), said needle clamp comprising a body ( 2 ) at least partially made of a thermally conductive material and having retaining means ( 3 ) for constraining at least one needle ( 10 ), wherein the needle clamp ( 1 ) includes a thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) directly or indirectly constrained to a portion of said body ( 2 ), wherein said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) has a hot side ( 6 ) and a cold side ( 7 ), said cold side ( 7 ) being directly or indirectly constrained to said portion of said body ( 2 ) allowing heat transfer from said at least one needle ( 10 ) to said cold side ( 7 ). 
     
     
       11. The sewing machine ( 100 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein said sewing machine ( 100 ) has an electric circuit connected to an electric power source, said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) is connected to said electric circuit of said sewing machine ( 100 ). 
     
     
       12. A method of cooling a needle ( 10 ) retained by a needle clamp ( 1 ) for a sewing machine ( 100 ), said needle clamp ( 1 ) comprising a body ( 2 ) at least partially made of a thermally conductive material and having retaining means ( 3 ) for constraining at least one needle ( 10 ), said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) constraining directly or indirectly a thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) to a portion of said body ( 2 ); 
 (b) regulating said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) to control heat transfer from said needle clamp; and 
 (c) providing electric power to said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ). 
 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 12 , wherein in said step (a) said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) is indirectly constrained to said portion of said body ( 2 ) with a thermal conductive layer ( 8 ). 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said sewing machine ( 100 ) has an electric circuit connected to an electric power source and said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) is connected to said electric circuit of said sewing machine ( 100 ). 
     
     
       15. The sewing machine ( 100 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein said portion of said body ( 2 ) to which said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) is constrained, is an external surface of the body ( 2 ). 
     
     
       16. The sewing machine ( 100 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ) is connected to a control unit for the regulation of said thermoelectric cooling device ( 5 ).